Horseshoe-calk.



W. I. & J. W. MILLER.

HORSESHOE GALK. 4

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6, 1912.

1,075,263. Patented 0011.7,1913.

WITNESSES l/VVE/VTORS W/LL/A/V/ M/LLIFF,

- ATTORNEYS NltTED $TATES PATENT @FFIQE.

WILLIAM I. MILLER AND JESSE W. MILLER, OF RED YVING, MINNESOTA.

HORSESHOE-CALK.

eas es.

Application filed December 6, 1912.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. "Z 1913.

Serial No. 725,254.

To all "whom it may concern Be it known that we, WILLIAM I. MILLER andJnssn W. MILLER, both citizens of the United States, and residents ofRed Wing, in the county of Goodhue and State of Minnesota, have inventeda new and Improved Horseshoe-Calk, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in horseshoe calks, and has foran object to provide an improved toe calk designed to be easily appliedand removed, while present-- ing all of the advantages of a perfectlysolid construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a calk formed with aplurality of parts removably connected with a shoe and formed with slotshaving beveled ends, which slots are adapted to receive a biting blade,the construction of the biting blade with the beveled ends and thebeveled ends of the receiving slots presenting means which cause theblade to remain properly inplace and to fit properly in place eventhough the parts of the calk may be set somewhat inaccurately.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a removable call;having an extension on each side for more properly su porting the horsesfoot when the horse does not correctly set his foot down.

In carrying out the objects of the inven tion, a pair of removable call:structures are provided, which are preferably formed with threadedextensions fitting into threaded apertures in the horseshoe so as to beheld properly in place. These members are provided with slots havingbeveled end walls which co-act with a thin blade of comparatively hardmaterial so as to properly engage the ground and act continuously as asharp engaging point, the remaining part of the calk wearing ofi morerapidly than this particular hardened plate. The ends of the calk arealso preferably extended outwardly an appreciable distance so as tocause a horse to place his foot on the ground properly or straight andlevel, in case he is inclined to do otherwise.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horseshoe calk disclosing anembodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a section through Fig. 1

approximately on the line 22; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the calkremoved; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the biting plate; andFig. 5 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of calk.

In forming the calk, the same is provided with extensions 1 and 2, whichmay project any desired distance beyond the threaded extensions 3 and 4so as to provide an outward projection for causing the horse to placehis feet properly on the ground. It will be evident that if desired onlyone of the extensions 1 and 2 could be used at any time. If a horse inwalking does not place his foot properly on the ground, the use of theextensions 1 and 2, or one of these extensions, is intended to make himset his foot straight and level in case he is inclined to do otherwise.

The threaded extensions 3 and at merge into parts 5 and 6 which extendtoward each other when in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but donot meet, whereby an opening is provided therebetween. Slots 7 and 8 areprovided in parts 5 and 6, for accommodating a biting plate 9. Thebiting plate 9 is formed with a notch 10, biting edge 11, and beveledends 12 and 13. The beveled ends 12 and 13 of plate 9 are adapted toengage the beveled ends 1e' and 15 respectively of the slots 7 and 8.This is of considerable advantage in properly fitting the calk in place.If, for instance, the threaded apertures in the shoe 16 should not bespaced correctly, the bevel of the ends of plate 9 will take up anyslight inaccuracies so that the plate will properly fit in place andwill be wedged tightly in place by the weight of the horse during theuse of the calk. It will be noted that the parts 5 and 6 are cut away atpoints 17 and 18. This allows the parts 5 and 6 to be locked properlyuntil the same are perfectly tight before the biting plate 9 is placedin position. This is of advantage in that it permits the parts 5 and 6to be screwed down tightly against the horseshoe. In the manufacture ofhorseshoes and also of calks the same are not machined off absolutelyperfect. This will result in the poor fit of the calk unless especialcare is taken to properly see that the calk is seated. By forming thecutaway portions 17 and 18 the parts 5 and 6 of the call: may be screweddown tightly against the horseshoe, so that the pressure will betransmitted through the parts 5 and 6 to the horseshoe directly, instead'of through the threaded extensions. It will also be noted that notch 10is arranged to register with the opening between members 5 and 6 so thata tool may be placed therein when it is desired to remove the plate.

In constructing the parts 5 and G, the same may be made perfectlystraight up and down or square, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or madebeveled as shown in Fig. 5. Also if desired, the parts 5 and 6 could beinclined or pitched toward the front of the shoe 16. A horse in startingto pull, rises on his toes and his heel is 05 the ground so that thecall: when formed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or pitched to the front,will be substantially perpendicular to the ground or will be at a slightbiting angle. Further slight'changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, as for instance the extensions could beeliminated, or could be, as above stated, made longer if desired, andthe call: caused to be inclined or pitched toward the front instead ofsquare or perpendicular to the shoe 16. In any of the various slightchanges, however, the slots 7 and 8 are maintained, together with thebeveled walls 14 and 15, so that the plate 9 may properly fit in placeeven though the threaded extensions 13 and 14 are placed slightlyincorrectly. The material of which the members 5 and 6 are made ispreferably softer and will wear away quicker'than the plate 9, which ispreferably formed of hard metal. As the plate 9 is a comparatively thinsheet, a biting edge will be continually presented so that the calk willnot only act as a .proper balancing support, but will properly bite orpinch against the ground for preventing slipping.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1. In a horseshoe calk, a pair of rotatablemembers threaded'into a horseshoe, each of said members being formedwith a slotted portion extending toward the opposite member and alsoextending from the bottom of the calk toward the horseshoe, each of saidslots being beveled at the end, the bevel extending from the bottom ofthe calk toward the horseshoe, and a strip of material having beveledends positioned in said slots, and acting on said beveled ends of saidslots, whereby the strip is properly fitted in position and acts as alock for preventing the rotation of the rotatable members.

2. In a horseshoe calk, a pair of rotatable members formed withvertical, longitudinal facing slots, each of said slots having a beveledend extending from the bottom of the rotatable member toward thehorseshoe, and a hardened strip of material arranged into saidslotandconnecting said rotatable members, said hardened strip beingformed of a thin sheet with beveled ends co-acting with the beveled endsof said slots, said strip of hardened material being formed with a notchacting as a key-receiving porticn for permitting a key to force saidstrip of material out of said slot.

3. In a horseshoe calk, a pair of rotatable members removably connectedwith a horseshoe, each of said members being formed with a bodyextending on opposite sides of the securing point thereof, one side ofeach 7 5 of said rotatable members being formed with aslot extendingfrom the bottom toward the horseshoe, and each of the slots being formedwith a beveledend, anda strip of hardened v material conformingsubstantially. with the shape of both of the slots, for connecting saidrotatable members, said beveled ends causing said strip of hardenedmaterial to properly fit notwithstanding a slight difference in sizebetween the same and said slot.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' WILLIAM I. MILLER.

JESSE YV. MILLER.

lVitnesses:

L. C. IVIEYER, W'. A. GIFFIN.

Copies of thispatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

